grid edge world forum 2017

Building on last year’s success, Greentech Media’s Grid Edge World Forum 2017 returns as the only conference and exhibition focused exclusively on tomorrow’s distributed energy system. We’ll discuss and debate the latest issues and opportunities impacting tomorrow’s distributed energy system, and examine the trends and innovation happening at the grid edge.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2017 Grid Edge Awards! We will present these companies with their awards at the Forum this year. View the full list here.

THE FUTURE OF GLOBAL ELECTRICITY SYSTEMS

Join us for 3 days of high-quality content, unparalleled business networking opportunities and dedicated exhibition time to experience the latest innovations at the grid edge. Hear from the industry experts shaping the next generation electricity system with exclusive keynotes, fireside chats and deep-dive knowledge sessions. Compare different perspectives from utilities and regulators from around the globe in dedicated regional spotlights.

Speakers

Dr. Robert Denda is Head of Network Technology and Innovation at the Global Infrastructure and Networks business line of the Enel group, responsible for technologies developed and applied at Enel's worldwide distribution grids, serving 65 million grid customers. Previously, from 2014 to 2015 he worked within this business line function as Head of Smart Metering Solutions. Previous responsibilities include the coordination of the smart metering roll-out project of 13 million meters at Endesa in Spain, R&D department director and innovation manager in the telecommunication sector, and Manager of technology services at Endesa Ingenieria. He is also an active participant at European and international associations related to the Energy sector. He holds a diploma degree in Computer Science and Business Administration and a PhD from the University of Mannheim, Germany

Boris von Bormann is CEO of Mercedes-Benz Energy Americas, responsible for the development and sale of energy storage systems for residential and utility applications, and other energy services to help facilitate the transition to e-mobility. Prior, he was CEO for the U.S. headquarters of Sonnen, a German-based manufacturer of energy storage solutions. Boris von Bormann has been in the international trade industry for over 18 years and in the solar industry for over 9 years.

Drew Murphy is senior vice president of strategic planning for Edison International. He is responsible for strategic planning for Edison International and its subsidiaries, advancing strategic initiatives that are key to achieving business growth and long-term shareholder value for the company. He also oversees the analysis of emerging trends in the industry, including distributed renewable generation, commercial and industrial energy services, and competitive transmission. Edison International is the parent company of Southern California Edison, one of the nation’s largest utilities, and Edison Energy Group, a subsidiary composed of variety of non-regulated businesses in the energy sector.

Prior to joining Edison International, Murphy was senior managing director of Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets, where he headed the utilities, energy and power team. His team was responsible for identifying new investment opportunities and the management of existing investments in regulated utility, power generation and midstream energy industries.

Previously, Murphy served in a number of senior executive positions at NRG Energy, Inc., including executive vice president, Strategy and Mergers & Acquisitions, executive vice president and president, Northeast Region, and executive vice president and general counsel.

Murphy has also served as a partner at the law firm of Hunton & Williams LLP, where he worked in the New York, London and Washington, D.C offices leading the global energy, infrastructure and project finance practice.

Murphy earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College in 1983 and a juris doctorate degree from George Washington University in 1987, where he was a member of the George Washington Law Review.

Patrick Flynn is the Senior Director of Sustainability for Salesforce, the world’s leading CRM provider and the fastest growing top 10 software company in the world. Prior to Salesforce, Patrick worked for IO, a leading global colocation data center provider, where he led sustainability strategy and also built and led a San Francisco-based R&D team. He has experience working as a building engineer (he has a P.E. in HVAC) and as an investor in a cleantech venture capital firm, where he focused on green building technologies and software-driven energy efficiency. Patrick holds an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management as well as a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University. He received the Thomas R. Peterson Achievement Award and two Peer Recognition Awards for his contributions to the MIT Sloan community.

Adam is Uber's global lead on sustainability and environmental impact within the Policy & Communications team, based out of San Francisco.
Sustainability and cross-disciplinary engagement are running themes throughout his work experience in the nonprofit, government, and for-profit sectors. Prior to joining Uber, he worked for five years helping investors build impact investing portfolios with positions at Goldman Sachs Wealth Management, Imprint Capital (a boutique investment advisory firm acquired by Goldman), and the Global Impact Investing Network (a research and advocacy nonprofit). Before impact investing, he spent seven years engaged in efforts to commercialize zero emission vehicle technologies with positions at the California Fuel Cell Partnership (a public-private partnership), the California Air Resources Board, and UTC Fuel Cells (a United Technologies Company). He holds an MBA from NYU Stern, an MPA from NYU Wagner, and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and materials science from UC Davis.

Caroline Choi is the Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs for Southern California Edison (SCE). She is responsible for analysis of federal and state energy and environmental policies; analysis and development of a long-term environmental, energy and technology strategy for SCE; and directing case management for key regulatory filings. Prior to joining SCE in 2012, Choi was executive director of Environmental Services & Strategy at Progress Energy, where she was responsible for leading environmental permitting, compliance and policy. She served the company in various roles, including director, Energy Policy & Strategy, and manager, Federal Public Affairs. Choi has served on various non-profit boards and is a board member of the Asian Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund, the National Forest Foundation and the California Advisory Board of The Trust for Public Lands. Choi has a bachelor’s degree in government from Dartmouth College.

Jessica Stromback leads the Joule business development operations in Europe. Currently she is Technical Manager for the Advanced, an FP7 project involving ERDF, Enel, Iberdrola, and RWE.

She is also is the Executive Director and founder of the Smart Energy Demand Coalition (SEDC). The SEDC is a Brussels based not-for-profit industry group, which represents the requirements for demand side programs in Europe, this includes programs such as Demand Response, energy usage feedback and information, smart home, in-home and in-building automation, electric vehicle charging management, and other programs. The SEDC vision is to promote the active participation of flexible demand side resources in European electricity markets – to ensure consumer benefits, increase security of supply and reduce carbon emissions. The 47 SEDC Members include aggregators, electricity retailers, DSOs, TSOs and technology providers, representing over 150 million European consumers.

From 2006-2013 Jessica Stromback acted as Chairman of VaasaETT ltd. She has acted as project manager for such projects as ‘SG4-GHG’ an FP 7 project modeling the potential of the Smart Grid to lower green house gas emissions around Europe, ‘Empower Demand’ comparing 100 residential pilot projects according to 23 variables involving over 450,000 households and ‘Respond 2010’ an 18 month multi-client study reviewing the development of residential Smart Metering and Demand Response in 23 national markets. She has also participated in or led consultancy and research projects for: ADEME, Schneider Electric, Microsoft, Nuon, EDF, Capgemini, RWE, Landis & Gyr, Panasonic, CREIPI of Japan, British Gas, Bord Gais, Union Fenosa, BC Hydro, TietoEnator, E-control, Israeli Electric and Onzo, among others.